Second Chances- Parsha's Vayikra

Last Eruv Shabbos my brother was throwing a baseball near a fancy, quite expensive car. I told my brother he shouldn't be playing there, because he could damage or break something. At the time, I was on the phone with my friend who gave me perspective on the situation. My brother, who is still young, doesn't know the consequences of smashing a car window. Therefore he needs the reminder to be careful. If we think about it, this kind of situation happens a lot.

In this week's parsha, Parshas Vayikra, the topic is very centered on offerings. One of the offerings that are talked about is brought in order to do teshuvah. Teshuvah is what is done after a prohibited act is committed. What would happen if we had a reminder from someone who knows the consequences? For example, before walking off a cliff, a bird that sees it's a cliff would fly over to tell us so. Or, as with my brother, me telling him to move over a few feet. The truth is we do have reminders. Sometimes the reminders are louder, and more obvious than others, but they are there.

This feeling of knowing the value of something more than someone else who is inexperienced doesn't just happen here on earth with you and me, but all the time in Heaven, as well. Seeing things from above gives the Torah, Mitzvos and acts of kindness greater meaning. For example, the people in Olam Habah who have seen the reward of mitzvos and the punishments of Aveiros. When we do something down here there is nothing to do but cry in heaven. If only we knew the great effects a single action has on the world, we would act differently. Just like if my brother were old enough to realize the value of the car he would not have played so close to it. Let us work on seeing the bigger picture using our god given second chance to affect the world in great ways and bring Moshiach now!

Good shabbos

Moshiach Now

All the Best

Avroham Yehudah Ross